HONDURAS The first foundation in Honduras was established in 1959 at Maria Regina Convent in La Ceiba, a city near the coast. The founders of the community were native sisters and others from the Providence Regional Community. Working to meet the needs of the people, the sisters opened a kindergarten, started a school for girls, taught English and began a nursing program.

Sisters from the Regional Community of Providence and other Mercy Communities now work in the barrios and parishes of Cuyamel, La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. The sisters and a growing number of associates work in our sponsored high school, Instituto Maria Regina, and our sponsored home for children with AIDS/HIV, Casa Corazon de Misericordia. They also administer a support center for women.

EDUCATION For over four decades, Instituto Maria Regina has been providing a strong educational foundation for youngsters in Honduras. The school now has a student body of about 500 girls and boys who are educated in the traditions of Mercy.

HEALTH CARE A home for orphaned or abandoned children who are HIV positive or who have Aids, Casa Corazón de Misericordia is located in San Pedro Sula. Founded in 1995, the Casa is a simple stucco house, built with seed money from the Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Providence. Close to three dozen youngsters who range in age from infancy to 18 years old, now call it home. The staff includes two Sisters of Mercy, a health director, a house manager, three child care workers, two laundresses and a bookkeeper. A Dominican lay volunteer, who is a doctor, donates his services to the Casa. The cost of medicines, hospitalizations and lab fees average $3,000 a month. Beyond providing good meals, clean clothing and regular medical care for every child at the Casa, the staff also insures that each one is educated to his or her fullest potential, develops life skills and achieves social integration. The children are also encouraged to grow and mature emotionally, spiritually and in the knowledge of their faith.